New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-07
IHE DRAMA-MUSIC.
THE HYPOCRITE.

A play called Tho Hypocute" had its first repre-
sentatiCn last night in the Fourteenth Street IheaI
1t is tho work of Mr. John A. Stevens and Mr. Law
renee MarstOn, both Of whom responded to cordial
public summons after the fall Of the curtain IL was
enacted By company that includes several faVOfita
players notably Miss Annie Robe, Mr. Herbert
Kelley, Mr. OsmOnd Tearle and Mr. Newton Gotthoh
each OF whom had the compliment OF an enthusiasts
reception. Its merit i that 1t contains several
ancient, conventional situations, and that it pro-
ridcs frequent opportunity for actors to make theat'
rcal points. 1t is not, however, q good play
the reason I'm general, that, While pretending to be
Transcript of and Of fact it Is false to both
There mover was such a civilization at the SCUM -
l. Indicated this piece, and the events Oh hdnAn
lie III whatever POINT Of inc compass, 10 NOT Iai
out with mechanical regularity tndt i seiueht,
a. III this ANA, upon play writer's techIea PaiL
Inc title Is Il mIsnOmer 1Or the hypOcTIucaI NAlalh
of tho play has 0n1 slight share IA IT, anu lie air
,>cais bOLn insignificant and pfePOstetOu> Inc t!r-
cum,tauce, Which cause the husbands Jealousy aTo
manly such as made ~ operate without regard u
this hS pOcItes influence. 1t II nnprODaDie tAd- suta
a master as Walton Is said to Ue would, IN ignorance
as well in Nant0n cruelty, sell the VIE vi sucn
slave a. George, anc IL Is grossly lmpIoDdhe lhdt
uSh seaene oI remSeaHce when ne l. TepIesehed
as atten pong. The MISUNDERSTANDING between INC
husband anu wife Is such as either could not occur
or would instantly be explained away III The lIahA
avowa Of true and conidins love. The plot IN bret,
j.. Developed with claDOlate theatrical altInce 9ieA
and women made ~ behave absurily, ana hc-
dents made to occur ina miraculous nick of ule
The purpose apparently. was TO Initiate, ut h.'-
lance the tragedy Of "Othello'-which is better
piece Much OF the language Is suggestive Of pan oI
Ie,l-fre and Of the music Of the bassOOn.
The actors last night manifested a most earnest
and sincere spirit, and they contrNed 70 invest the
niece with an air OF serious Importance and almost
of authority Mr.. Ieare, in particular, uttered,
certain windy gable with reference u tho hckeness Ok
woman, with really surprising sincerity; While hr
Kelley, as tho Tilted sutton who desires TO seducc
his friends wife, announced the most vicious pIln
cIplcs with quite an imposing air OF vItuOus con
Viction Miss AMMO Robe touched the chord Of true
pathos as the fond and injured wife .
An effective Of Illuminated transparency Is
made In tho second act, and Immediately thereafter
Mr. Kelley is shot and apparently Siam by si Iea,e'
COtthold enactng Tho HypOcnte, In vein Of sie-
cious bcnevoenco and we-conceaed malice, seos
matters right by confessing his dullicity.
There arc no fresh views aspects OF human leaF
ousy set forth In this work. Its atmosphere In TIC
seriou, part Is dlsagrecable, while its comic por-
ton f. trivial and even silly. For ono Of It's jokes
tho one about "the divinity that shapes our end'
rough"-ths funeral bells rung many years ago
'Tho HypOcrito" Is bad play, quito Well acted
aud 1t was received with good nature by numerous
audence-assisted by an obvious and pertlhaclOW
claqus.